Jai ngaai (ใจง่าย – easy heart)

Twenty- Six

Angie – The Bond of Reunion

Ben is strutting loftily and grinning deviously to find he had a nephew, who is now our adopted son, and has his heart swelling. I thought Lilly might have a problem, but she is electrified. Ben Junior is already a fixture with his sister, Seebahbe, Leanna, Bobby III and Dog. Dog has indoctrinated Junior into the lap club. The kids have made a harness and reins for Dog to pull an old wooden two-wheel cart. They practice MDCC like seasoned fighters. They run two hours every morning in its coolness.

Each kid has that cunning little smirk on their little faces like their fathers. They are cocky, but not overbearing. Every step has a bounce in it. All five of them plus Dog know who they are and where they are going. If one is hurting the others surround him/her with support. If a bully abuses one, the rest stand up for her or him. It is odd that these kids have the highest GPAs in school.

Collectively their Thai is spoken like natives. Even though Bobby is retired from the ring, he and Ben are recognized as the best fighters among the MDCC world.

Feeding the catfish at Grandpa Rufus' and Pappy John's is the favorite pastime for the Olander/Crossman bunch. Grandma Martha bakes the Mango cobbler and Granny Beverly prepares the homemade ice cream for the treat every Sunday afternoon. Momma told me that Pudd Fi (Doug,) Sangdoaw and Pudd Fi Noy (เปิด ไฟ น้อย - little Pudd Fi) are coming next Sunday afternoon.

She said, "You are welcome if you want to come. It will be okay." Pappy and Granny wanted to give me warning. Just because you know something is going to happen, does not mean you will accept it.

The hurts and crimes he committed almost make me puke. Images of him were beyond comprehension. The evil he caused was horrendous and not deserving of forgiveness. A bitter odor gushed into my mouth, prompting me to have to brush my teeth and use mouth wash. The pictures Mom shared showed him displaying shoulder epaulettes of a Jha Sip Tri (จ่าสิบตรี - Thai Sergeant Major - third class) in the Royal Thai Frontline Guard.

Pudd Fi was holding the baby cradled in his arms. There was a tender expression on his face while casting a gentle gaze from his eyes. There was a demeanor totally distinct about him that I had never previously regarded. The roughness and cruelty had softened to bliss. He was not the same man. General John signified that he was different, because he viewed life in another way since he married and had a child.

The Sunday of the stopover came. Ben said, "You have been agonizing all week. Are you going or not?"

"What do you think?"

"Like you told me when we were in St Louis if you don't you'll regret it later. You saw a picture of the baby. This is your opportunity to see the real thing in action."

In my heart, I know Ben is right. I have spent years of revulsion and hate. It is weird, because at morning worship the preacher said, "We need to forgive others for our own sakes. We need to forgive and forget. Otherwise, we will be stressed and lose years of our lives. This is what Jesus does when he absolves us. Our sins are washed away. His blood paid the price. All that was wrong with us is pardoned and our sin is erased. The Bible tells you and me that we become new creatures. Thus, Jesus is our model."

Ben exonerated Miss Grace and loves her like a Grandmother. In a way he acquitted Mr. Warden as he has been erased from his mind. He knows his mother and sister will never change. He has offered to pay for their rehab, but they refused. He praises God that little Ben is free to explore new ways of viewing and exploring life to its fullest.

My loving husband built a new orphanage with individual rooms for the children and staff. It will have a state-of-the-art cafeteria. Ben had the former structure removed, and a modern apartment building was constructed as a retirement center for Miss Grace and her co-workers rent free. It was opened to other retirees based on their incomes.

He hired a new director, and provided an endowment that will make available the revenue needed above that which the state pays per child. His benevolence provided for those things which were missing when he was a kid. Miss Grace and her staff were provided a pension to supplement their Social Security. She was granted the title of Executive Director Emeritus. She has a three-year appointment to an orphanage advisory board made up of her and eight other community leaders.

Ben was relaxed. His reflections were the results of the lives that were changed. A warmth was spread throughout his body. Tiredness did not phase him, but elation overtook him with a new purpose to his past. He slept more rested than usual.

It came to me what needed to be prepared for Pudd Fi Noy. It may be rejected, but is amazingly simple and essential for Pudd Fi Noy.

That Sunday I went with Ben to my Mother's and Father's house for lunch and sweets. Pudd Fi, Sangdoaw and little Pudd Fi had already arrived. The Olander clan had come earlier with Malsa and Mike. My wayward brother was in deep conversation with Bobby and Mike. They were talking about the differences between MDCC and Muay Thai.

When I entered the house behind Ben everyone became quiet. Maybe they expected an outpouring of bickering and anger from me. However, my eyes dropped to little Pudd Fi. Suddenly my attention switched to Sangdoaw. I went over and hugged her, then it was easy to say Yindi Thinrap Nung Sow (ยินดีต้อนรับน้องสาว – welcome sister) to the family. Sangdoaw began weeping and laughing at the same time. In broken English, she said, "Husband bad boy long time, but sister good. Husband changed."

Dawkmymy interpreted for me, "My husband and I came to give gifts to the baby. The first gift is not to the baby, but to your community in the name of the baby. It is five hundred thousand Baht ($25,000.00) to build an elementary school. Also, there is enough money to dig a couple of wells, construct a small water treatment system, run pipes to all the buildings and pave the roads in the village.

The second gift is a Certificate of Deposit for four hundred thousand Baht ($20,000.00) paying six percent annually that should mature when Pudd Fi Noy turns eighteen for him to go to college. Sangdoaw and you are the administrators to make sure it happens. Any amount left over at age twenty-two will go to him to set up a home or a business."

By this time both Sangdoaw and Pudd Fi (Doug) Senior's tears were flowing like water falls. With a shaky voice Pudd Fi said, "I have been so bad to you. Why are you treating us so great?"

"First of all, we are not doing it for you. The love in your and Sangdoaw's eyes for Pudd Fi Junior tells us that you will be good parents, and do the best to see that he gets a good education. It is the same thing we are doing for our own kids. Hopefully, in time we can become a loving family."

"The rest of my life, you will have my adoring gratitude."

Sangdoaw said, "I promise you that we will love and honor you forever. If Pudd Fi forgets, I will hit him up the side of his head with a hot iron."

Everyone in the house laughed including Doug. He said, "She really will. That is what I worship about her. She knows how to get my attention." We all chuckled again. The scowl that use to be on his face was replaced by a soft smile.

Years of tension faded from me. I knew trust from my brother was developing as we spoke.

He shared, "I am going to be transferred to Northern Thailand, East of Chiang Rai. My unit will be backed up by the United States Marine Corps. We have more enemy infiltration in that area than we do down South. It will be for three to six months." One could see a gloomy stare emitting from him and his wife.

Ben said, "I am familiar with the area." My thoughts were he is. That is near the place where my husband almost lost his life when he was running away from me. He continued, "It is mountainous and difficult to pass through. Many of the trails have been eliminated. They have been bombed again and again making them impassible. You will not have any problems during the day. However, at night you will have to be diligent. You will need to be quiet to hear them, and keep your presence from being discovered. One word from either side can be deadly. A glow from a cigarette will betray your position."

Ben breathed quietly and relaxed knowing he had passed on information that was important.

"It sounds as if you have been there!"

"I have, and I keep current of the latest reconnaissance intelligence from that area."

I said, "He was the officer in charge of a Marine platoon who lived in those mountains. They knew every path on both sides of the border. One night his platoon encountered a company of subversives. They outnumbered the unit five to one. Five of his men were wounded. He and the platoon sergeant went in while under fire and rescued each man one at a time. He was shot fourteen times, and almost died. Currently, he is squadron commander over a specially trained group of flier combat rescue teams who liberate military units and civilians all over Southeast Asia."

Pudd Fi said, "I'm glad he is on our side."

"Just doing my job."

Gen Bobby said, "He goes way beyond his job to help those in trouble. He and his crews have saved thousands of men and women at the risk of their own lives.

Pudd Fi looked at Ben in a way that spoke, "Atta a boy!"

"If I can help people like that, maybe I can redeem myself from all the crud I've inflicted."

Ben spoke with the adoration which seemed that they were best of buddies informing Pudd Fi, "It is the little things in life that count the most. Like a child that looks at his daddy as if he is a king, or a husband when he gives his wife a little wildflower that he picked in a field. A smile is a simple thing, but it can be worth more than a million Baht to one that needs a friend. Holding the hand and speaking softly to someone in a hospital is forever remembered.

It is not philosophy of an economic system that makes a person a pal. Respect and love are the two most powerful words in the universe. If you want to influence someone - show them that you care, telling them is not enough. Listening is more important than talking. It is not what you get, but what you give that makes the difference. However, make sure that what you give is free and has no hidden agenda."

Pudd Fi looked at my husband as if receiving a pot of gold. He went over and hugged him the same as if Ben was the brother he never had, and said, "Thank you for your wisdom. I will cherish it the rest of my life."